This was held a few months ago, just after the en primeurs, but I received the press release today about its success, and thought I would share it, as I thought at the time it was an excellent iniative.
Basically, Cahors has realised that they are sitting on a potential goldmine of Malbec, mainly because of the great job that Argentina has done is making it such a popular grape worldwide, so they decided to join forces with leading Argentinian producers and put on a 'Malbec Day' in southwest France.
The final figures were:
110 producers from Cahors, Argentina, Cotes de Bourg (Bordeaux) and the Touraine.
300 oenology students from all over the world
1200 invited professionals
1950 paying members of the public
60 journalists (20 from overseas)
400 different wines presented
The next Malbec Day is due for 2010 in Cahors, and expected to take place every two years from then on.
They also hope to build a centre for research and development on the Malbec grape in the village of Anglars Julliac, in the heart of AOC Cahors, at a cost of over 1 million euros (invested jointl by the government nationally and the Conseil Général du Lot. Opening of this planned for 2010.
More info on: www.frenchmalbec.com
And as we have seen in recent days how well Malbec is doing for Argentina ( http://www.decanter.com/news/257567.html ), it's great to see a French region actually being smart about international partnerships.
